Missing a Shingle: Is Your Roofing Likely To Spring a Leak?

Have you noticed a shingle missing on your new roof? That tiny gap on your roofing can spell disaster for your home if left unattended. This is a roof repair essential that should not be ignored. Replacing a shingle promptly instead of waiting until your next major home renovation can save you from expensive and larger repairs. 

So, will your roof leak if it’s missing a shingle ?

Allow us to tell you why a missing shingle needs your timely attention and what to do about it.

A Roof With a Missing Shingle Can Lead To Various Problems

Imperfect Aesthetic

Missing shingles on a new roof can negatively affect your home’s value. Plus, it isn’t attractive to look at.

Potential for Leaks

Even if you aren’t experiencing leaks with the loss of a shingle or two, leaks become more likely if a shingle is missing. And if you leave it unattended for a considerable period, any leaks can lead to larger damages to your roofing.

Rotten Sheathing

Sheathing, or the layer under your shingles, gets exposed to the elements once the shingles come off. This layer isn’t designed to withstand different environmental conditions the way shingles are so it can grow and spread mold and mildew in your home while you’re waiting to get your shingles replaced. 

Failed Weatherproofing

In addition to your roof’s sheathing, there are weak adhesive layers where shingles act as their first line of defense. Without shingles, weatherproofing materials are at the mercy of the elements. The result is the quick degradation of your roof as the capacity to withstand scorching and freezing temperatures progressively deteriorates with each day.

Dry Rot

Even with one missing shingle, the connected components can start to crack or break over time and lead to dry rot, a fungal decay that affects the wooden parts of a home. Dry rot can eventually cause wood to take on a powdery form and create structural failures.

Will Your Roof Leak if It’s Missing a Shingle or Only Part of It?

The bad news is it doesn’t matter if an entire shingle or only part of it is missing. Even if you only have a broken shingle, it can make its seam prone to weather damage. In cases where part of a shingle is damaged or has come off, you’ll need to replace it with a new shingle. 

Shingles are installed in a staggered pattern on a new roof. The top shingle covers the gaps between the shingle below to minimize leaks. When the seams underneath aren’t covered, you’re more likely to experience leaks. 

What Happens When the Missing Shingle Was Sitting Above a Seam?

If a missing shingle was located above a seam, your roof may begin to leak. However, it may not leak if the shingle wasn’t positioned over a seam. This process can start immediately due to severe weather factors but it can also occur gradually due to typical wear and tear over time.